Infanterieregiment 109 (ID 35) at the Schelde river in May 1940

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; this story follows..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On May 19 1940, the order stressed: reconnaissance towards Ath; at 07:00 hours the march was resumed without enemy resistance. Crossing the river Ath the AA 35 suffered several WIA. Marching through Chievres the advance proceeded towards Tongre where the Abteilung took some rest at noon. The march then followed by Armeigines to Notre Dame which could be reached by nightfall.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; this story follows..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On may 20 1940, the mission was to move forward to the river Escaut in order to established a bridgehead at Antoing – Tournai. The AA 35 had reached the river by Ramecroix. In that town the Germans could see a destroyed English column, parts of vehicles mixed with human remains were littered all over the ground. The Detachment got heavy artillery fire and should retreat towards Pipaix.

That very day the Schelde crossing began; it was the hardest day of the whole the campaign. The IR 109 crossed by Antoing and the IR 111 did the same by Peronnes; both frontline battalions could establish two little bridgeheads against English elite troops. Due to strong counterattacks, supported by tanks and artillery fire, the bridgeheads were lost; nevertheless, the IR 109 could maintain one little strong hold on the far river bank.


destroyed English column.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; this story follows..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On May 21 1940, the AA remained at Pipaix while the IR 111 could get across the river Escaut establishing a bridgehead. The Division took up defensive positions and also stood fast next day (22 May).

On May 23 1940, the AA 35 was instrusted in order to carry out the reconnaissance towards Fontenay. As a result, it was known that the enemy had already retreated from the water line leaving its positions behind. A serviceable shuttle was found at Fontenay. The large grey columns proceeded slowly ahead. That very afternoon, the 35 ID had reached the French-Belgian border line.


Some troops of the AA 35 at Fontenay - May 23 1940.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; this story follows..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On May 24 1940, at 06:00 hours the unit proceeded its march to Antoing, where the Abteilung crossed the Escaut. The British troops followed its withdrawal through Tournai heading to Templeuves. At every village and crossroads, the Germans found obstacles and blocking positions.


Tournai - May 24 1940.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; thanks for joining Optiow . Now this story follows..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On May 25 1940, the cyclist squadron (radfahr-schwadron) relieved the infantry and by dawn that infantry regiment had proceeded its march as a whole. The AA 35 had by now a hard task: to ward a two kilometer frontline, in its front Scottish troops. The officers were uneasy, however the day went quite calm, in spite of during the night there were alarms and own artillery fire.



Displaced civilians filled the highways.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

35 ID - May 1940.

Hello to all ; at last the relief..................

From the German border to Belgian-French frontier – May 1940.

On May 26 1940, at dawn antitank alarm; a Recce Patrol of five men was detached to deal with, but in reaching the spot, reported it was an old out of service truck. At noon and evening, heavy aerial attacks against Lille and Roubaix. Around 22:00 hours came our replacements, the advance guard of the 253 ID.


French and belgians POWs heading to the camp.

Sources: Die 35. Infanterie-Division 1939 - 1945 - Dt. Infanterie-Divisionen im Bild - Hrsg.
Kameradschaftsdienst 35. Inf.Div. e.V., Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg 1980.
Kriegstagebuch: Aufzeichnungen während des II. Weltkrieges: 1940-1943

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[oberfeldwebel]

when i was looking on the internet about the 35 inf. div. inf. reg. 109 i cam along this tread.
I know that there is a book with photo's about the 35inf. div. about there history, my intrested is also great in this division specialy 109 regiment because my grandfather was a oberfeldwebel in this regiment and was KIA in Smolensk Russia on 01/08/1941 he got the Iron Cross 1st classe postuum there, so he was there during the fighting on the Schelde

[tigre]

The fighting on the Schelde

Hello oberfeldwebel ; thanks for joining here. Do you have any first hand account dealing with your grandfather's fight on the Schelde?. Cheers. Raúl M .